Rezoning request for 32 acres of Devils Lake property to be reviewed

Friday

Oct 12, 2012 at 3:00 PM

By Dan CherryDaily Telegram Staff Writer

A request to rezone a large piece of property along Manitou Road in Rollin Township will go back to the township planning board for further consideration, the township board decided Wednesday in a 4-1 vote.

Tim Elting, whose family has owned the 32-acre property on the south side of Devils Lake for more than 80 years, has been looking to have one major piece of the property rezoned as commercial and another classified as suburban estate. The former Devils Lake Drive-In occupies part of the property and is currently zoned residential, while the rest is largely undeveloped.

An alternate rezoning proposal that had made its way to the township planning commission, Lenawee County Region 2 Planning Commission and the Lenawee County Planning Commission contained inconsistencies that caused all three entities to recommend denial of the request, said Roger Myers. Myers is an attorney representing Cottage Grove and Sandy Shore residents whose properties border Elting’s.

Myers said residents were not only concerned about the possible rezoning, but problems for nearby wetlands caused by redevelopment, and the lake. Additionally, he said, improper zoning or development could cause surrounding property owners’ values to decline by approximately 20 percent.

Elting said rezoning the roadside property to commercial would serve to enhance the area that has seen a dramatic reduction in commercial development since the 1960s.

Elting said is he is discouraged by the public outcry formed by lakefront neighbors regarding his wanting to rezone the property and consider the commercial parcel — which previously served as the drive-in for more than 50 years — for outdoor entertainment.

“I’ve never intended to do anything to negatively impact my neighbors,” he said. “I’ve been here my whole life, and I am trying to work with you.”

Elting disputed the allegations he doesn’t care about other property owners’ wishes, saying rezoning the property next to theirs as suburban estate actually reduces his options for development. Suburban estate stipulations require parcels be a minimum of one acre, while residential zoning permits smaller parcels.

“This has become way too personal and not enough discussion. It seems to me those who have expensive homes and pay more taxes feel they have more rights than local property owners.”

“I love this place, but I am being made out to be a bad guy,” he said.

The board then voted 4-1 to have Elting resubmit his finalized zoning plans to the township planning board for consideration at its meeting Oct. 18. Trustee Jerry Wilson cast the lone “no” vote.